Get out of the Boat!

I've been thinking lately about the story of Jesus walking on the water and, in particular, Peter's venture out of the boat.  In reading the account in Matthew, my Bible notes pointed out that since Jesus walked towards them during the third watch of the night, the disciples had been battling the storm and waves for 9 hours!  In Mark's Gospel, it says "they were making headway painfully".  That speaks to me!  How many times do I struggle through the storm, "making headway painfully", when Jesus is standing right outside my "boat" ready to take my hand.  Jesus doesn't promise to take us out of the storm.  In fact, he assures us we will face trials.  Taking up our cross and following him is not something to be taken lightly; but what we are promised is that we are not alone and we won't be overwhelmed in the storm.  


Remember, that once Jesus got into the boat with the disciples, the storm ceased and they arrived at their destination safely; in fact, in John's Gospel it says they arrived "immediately".  In Matthew's account the word immediately is used for Jesus' response to the disciples' fear.  In their fright at seeing him walking on the water, he spoke to calm their fears immediately.  It's so interesting how many times that one word is used in the gospels in connection with Jesus.  Our Lord is not slow to react and respond to our cries for help.  We're the slow ones!  It seems to make sense at the time to fight the storms of life for the metaphorical "9 hours" rather than to get out of the boat, walk to Jesus and his outstretched hand.  Then, we can see how he chooses to handle the storm - he may calm the storm or calm us in the storm.


Personally, and I say this with a little fear and trembling, I'm thankful for the trials in my life.  Without them, I wouldn't have learned about the great faithfulness of God, his unconditional love, his care and protection as well as his mysterious but perfect sovereignty and will.  I have learned and am learning the truth and reality of Romans 8:28 ("And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose"); and Romans 8:38 ("For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.")


I love it that when I cry out to Jesus he immediately responds to me with:  “Take heart; it is I. [I AM]. Do not be afraid.” 

God is Able

posted from Daily Light on the Daily Path Devotional from Samuel Bagster, Christian Bible Devotions

I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able.  II TIM. 1:12

Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.   Eph. 3:20

Able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.   II Cor. 9:8

Able to succour them that are tempted.  Heb. 2:18 

Able ... to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.   Heb. 7:25

Able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the pres-ence of his glory with exceeding joy. Jude 24  

Able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.   II Tim. 1:12

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.   Phi. 3:21

Believe ye that I am able to do this? ... Yea, Lord. According to your faith be it unto you.   Matt. 9:28,29

Here I Am, Lord

I've been reflecting on the times I've prayed the prayer, "Here I am, Lord, send me" and how God has answered (is answering) that prayer.  I know he puts the desire in my heart to pursue him - more of him - and that prayer comes out of a God-placed desire.  I think there's always that fear of "what if God sends me to the place I would hate to go?" lurking around in the background of that sincere prayer; and looking back over my life and journey, I can surely see how I have been "sent" down a path I couldn't have expected.  


I've been spending some time re-reading some of my older journal entries.  Thank heaven for journals!  I don't know about other folks, but I pour it all out on those pages - the confusion, hurt, anger, joy, peace.....  So to look back and see God's hand in all of that - this process of sanctification and transformation - and how very present he's been even (especially??) when I haven't been all that cooperative in the process....it simply amazes me.  It's been almost a year since I first felt the nudge from the Lord to write a Bible study on John's Gospel.  Now there's an answer to my "send me" prayer that was out of left field!  But what a blessing and what a humbling experience that was and what a season of closeness to the Lord!  


The lesson (at least one of them) that I've been learning through so much of this has been in trusting God - no matter what.  Wish I had that down pat, then maybe I wouldn't have to keep getting practice in it!  It's clear, though, that if my heart is pursuing God and the path he's chosen for me, I need to trust in where he takes me and how he chooses to get me there.  We spent some great time in 2 Peter during Sunday's sermon which meant that most  of the passage is now underlined and has comments written all over the margins of my Bible.  It was speaking volumes to me!  This passage, in particular, (2 Peter 1:10) speaks to my ramblings today:  "Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall."  In answering my prayer to follow him, God has been giving me lots of opportunities to practice trusting him.  He doesn't have to prove himself - he's always trustworthy and so very faithful; but in working to give up my need to control and order things the way I see fit (what a joke!), I'm able to move out in more faith and greater trust in the one whose plans and ways are perfect.  I know it will be well worth the effort and beyond what could ever be imagined! 

"But, as it is written,        
'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him'”
 (1 Corinthians 2:9)